TARANAKI.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 309, 5 February 1848, Page 194

TARANAKI.

[Prom a correspondentof the Welltoytm Spectator, Jan. 31.] The loss of an anchor by the Ralph Bernal, on the 11th ult., though admitting of explanation, will not fail to add to the prejudice which captains of large vessels entertain for this settlement. Had the captain adopted the precaution suggested to him by those on board his ship, the anchor would have been got up. But he trusted to, or at all events used a buoy rope unsound, too slight, and therefore doubly unfit to raise the anchor by the crown, after the chain parted from it while weighing. Excluded as we are at present from Waitera, the town must remain where it is, and vessels of all sizes must discharge at the usual landing place; and it therefore becomes most necessary that moorings should be again laid down. The attention of the New Zealand Company appears to have been drawn to the subject by a notice from Lloyd's, 'in May last, wherein Taranaki is unfairly declared to be a very dreadful place for large ships; for the Directors lost no time in instructing their principal agent to again lay down moorings; and the only objection to doing so, and to their utility, is the difficulty of raising them at stated intervals. Vessels were formerly exposed to great danger by the Company's neglect of this necessary precaution. The objection, if the settlement is worth anything, is removed. It is considered by us that the Government, with better resources for the purpose, may, on the application of the Company, be induced to undertake the work of at least looking periodically to the condition of the cables. The moorings sent out and laid down by the Timandra, in 1842, were too heavy, and capable of mooring a ship of 80 guns. They were laid down upwards of two miles from land, an unnecessary distance. Some of the settlers however advocate an efficient boating establishment, and they have reason, as the Government only regularly maintain a coxswain in addition to the Beach Master, and the crews are taken indiscriminately when required, and at times there is a difficulty in getting hands from the trifling scale of remuneration allowed. The boats are under continual repair, principally from exposure on the beach ; yet they have been allowed to remain without shelter from the weather for upwards of two years. Sums of money appear to be paid by the Government without remonstrance or enquiry for damages to the boats, which a shed of any kind would mainly prevent. To return to the question ; if the Governor ever carries out his determination to acquire the land awarded by Mr. Spain, and emigration is to be renewed, Captains of vessels must be under no apprehension for the safety of their anchors, and moorings would have that desirable effect. Harvest has commenced. The wheat crops are good, but the barley, potatoes and turnips will partially fail for want of rain. The summer set in early last month unusually warm, and no amount of rain can now save the barley as it is in ear. Several vessels have been in since the Ralph Bernal. The Fisherman from Wanganui, the Carbon and Ann and Sarah from Wellington, the Government Brig from Auckland, and the Maid of the Mill from Auckland and the. Bay of Islands. The Governor was daily expected at the latter place on his way to this settlement. The past Christmas has been very different to that of any other period. In addition to other amusements, the Subscription Ball given on New Year's Eve in the new mill, by permission of the proprietor, passed off with entire satisfaction to all present, and was not brokfls^Jttfj until six on the following morning. JgßKjrecorations of the Ball and . Supper :B^^Hpfend the room especially devote4 |g|p?pdragonß ; and the rising generaUonJppHtd arrangements generally, were exc3j|P& * Dancing commenced at nine. NisSjiylOO were present, and we hope to jjpurenewal of these meetings on the eve jOTeach departing year. Too much praise 'cannot be given to Messrs. F. D. Bell, M'Lean, and R. Brown, the promoters of this Ball, whose indefatigable exertions were crowned with complete success. An ox was killed for Christmas in this settlement weighing 1,1 1511)3. clean. It was taken out of yoke by the owner, Mr. Lukeman, only seven weeks previous to being killed. j .